Aug 18 2013

The transfer student population is large and growing both nationally and on Long Island, says NYIT Associate Dean of Academic Support and Enrollment Services Alex Ott, Ph.D., in Newsday (subscription required). Ott, past president of the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association, says many colleges do not focus on special programs for entering transfer students who require different support and information than freshmen.

"The system in general was set up for freshmen," he says, "so the process hasn't caught up with reality." Ott offers potential transfer students several areas to consider before enrolling at a new school: How much does really cost to attend the college you're considering? How many credits are you receiving and how do they count toward the degree you're pursuing? How long will it take to complete the degree you want to pursue?